JLPT Pass Rate Statistics

So how many people actually pass the JLPT every year?

I’ve compiled some statistics/data over the last few years to give you a clear idea of how many people register for and actually pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test to receive their JLPT certification for each level.

Level

N1

N2

N3

N4

N5

Total

2016summer + winter total

Applicants

211,441

254,613

190,484

117,917

91,839

866,294

Examinees※

186,531

225,803

165,124

101,375

76,969

755,802

Certified

59,929

89,185

66,333

35,752

38,045

289,244

PercentageCertified(%)

32.1%

39.5%

40.2%

35.3%

49.4%

38.3%

2015summer + winter total

Applicants

203,930

216,068

151,338

99,968

78,948

750,252

Examinees※

179,273

190,730

129,628

86,108

66,780

652,519

Certified

56,262

76,687

49,057

31,058

34,731

247,795

PercentageCertified(%)

31.4%

40.2%

37.8%

36.1%

52.0%

38.0%

2014summer + winter total

Applicants

206,636

197,054

127,368

82,329

68,506

681,893

Examinees※

182,723

174,596

108,409

70,933

58,021

594,682

Certified

59,544

72,818

41,882

29,309

29,732

233,285

PercentageCertified(%)

32.6%

41.7%

38.6%

41.3%

51.2%

39.2%

Analyzing the data

From the above table, the percentage certified (or pass rate), is highlighted in blue for to quickly see. Over the last 3 years, we have these average pass rate for each JLPT level.

JLPT N1 average pass rate: ~32%

JLPT N2 average pass rate: ~40%

JLPT N3 average pass rate: ~39%

JLPT N4 average pass rate: ~37%

JLPT N5 average pass rate: ~51%

Based on this, N5 (the easiest level) had the highest pass rate, which is not surprising, at about 50%. N2-N4 have fairly similar pass rates averaging between 37-40%, while N1 (the most difficult level) has the lowest pass rate, at about 32%.

An increase in people taking the JLPT Test

As seen in the above graph, since the JLPT switched to the N1~N5 system, there has been a steady incline in both test takers, and number of cities where the JLPT is offered. Especially, in 2016, there was a significant growth in all categories.

JLPT Statistics Data Archives (summer + winter tests)

If you want to look into more specific data for the differences in summer and winter tests, I’ve compiled that data here as well: